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chaoticbibliophile's review against another edition
This started out living up to its reputation as one of the best examples of "thinky navel-gazey autofiction": Interesting musings, solid writing, insightful with compelling characters (even in their unnerving flaws), etc. It is also quite funny, which I always admire in a novel. But then... it kept going. It kept going and the interesting points became tired and it kept going even after it seemed like the novel had said everything it could possibly have to say and it kept stretching the (already thin, as befits the genre) plot. I began skimming, then jumping, chapters to see if it grabbed my interest again. A couple of times it did, so I went back and ploughed through the skipped chapters, but then it stopped working. I skipped to the last chapter and it convinced me to DNF.
This was somewhat similar to my experience with Motherhood, which also started out solid and deflated somewhere in the middle. This one is better, though, so if you're curious, I'd say give this one a go. I think I'm done with Sheila, though... although I would probably be in for some of her essays.
This was somewhat similar to my experience with Motherhood, which also started out solid and deflated somewhere in the middle. This one is better, though, so if you're curious, I'd say give this one a go. I think I'm done with Sheila, though... although I would probably be in for some of her essays.
marenkaef's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
victoriathuyvi's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the writing and the concept, but can't stand reading about literal crap...
fusskins's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant and beautiful! Heti has such an incredibly, self-aware voice that this book is at times painful to read. She examines her own insecurity and narcissism so bravely. She is inspiring. A must read.
thrilled's review against another edition
2.0
this didn't add much beauty to my life, but i do agree that girls should never betray their friends by buying the same dress
annabhatt's review against another edition
4.0
this was a casi cobb recommendation so it was hard to separate my feelings for it from casi cobb. that being said, i think even if it wasn't recommended to me by casi, i would've thought of her anyway because of the writing style.
anyway. i did enjoy this book. i don't think it impacted me in a huge way one way or another, but it was an easy read and once i committed to it i sped through it. i enjoyed the way it was written (i love a list!! and this book had no shortage of lists) and the way in which plot sort of snuck up on you. i always enjoy anything written about female friendship, especially when it is complex and issues are silly issues are worked through.
overall: solid! a good time. not super memorable. probs 3.5/5
anyway. i did enjoy this book. i don't think it impacted me in a huge way one way or another, but it was an easy read and once i committed to it i sped through it. i enjoyed the way it was written (i love a list!! and this book had no shortage of lists) and the way in which plot sort of snuck up on you. i always enjoy anything written about female friendship, especially when it is complex and issues are silly issues are worked through.
overall: solid! a good time. not super memorable. probs 3.5/5
kaymarieplz's review against another edition
1.0
the only reason i even finished this book was because i wanted to make sure i didnt miss anything in order to have a full list of everything i hated about this book and to list them during bookclub. then i realized the list is too long so i will just say jesus christ i am so glad this effing dribble is over with...and can i have my $10 back?
amycrea's review against another edition
2.0
Spoiler alert:
If your protagonist comes to a major life realization while sticking her nose in a guy's hairy ass, I'm probably not your target audience.
If your protagonist comes to a major life realization while sticking her nose in a guy's hairy ass, I'm probably not your target audience.
dianametzger's review against another edition
4.0
This book floored me in a lot of ways: clever, insightful writing and really bold ideas. This is the best quasi-memoir, more so millennial philosophy and psych book that I've read in quite some time. Asks all the right questions and doesn't promise answers, but gives a lot to think about it the end. Truly about a woman in her late twenties looking at the people around her, trying to learn from them exactly how a person should be--in their own lives and in the eyes of those around them. No wonder Heti is interviews editor at The Believer; what a perfect fit.